Head Quarters 11^th R.I. Vols.

Camp Metcalf. Va. Jan 25^th 1863

 

Dear Col.

                        Here I am with the 11^th quietly located at last though my own tents will not be pitched till tomorrow. I reached here last Thursday noon & was warmly welcomed apparently. Pitman will not resign. He treated me very affably outside, veils his disappointment, he means bread & butter. I like the officers much, Mr Gould very much & the Major too. Dr Perry is an insufferable bore. Olney has improved much since I saw him last. We are guarding the Convalescent Camp near Alexandria, half way between there & Washington. Pitman has had half the Reg^t on one day & half the next. It is a light style of guard duty, but too much of it. I shall cut it down. We have 2 or 3 miles of beats & 9,000 men to guard. There is little chance for drill. The Gov. says if he cant get us [torn] he will give me another Reg^t. He says he is trying to get rid of Viall of the 2^d & if he succeeds that he shall give it to me. This is between ourselves. I talked very freely with the Gov. He seemed to like my style very much. I arrived in New York a week ago last Wednesday night, reached R.I. Thursday night, left Monday night, got to Washington Tuesday night & here Thursday. I am licking things into shape / rapidly. I have two splendid horses, large powerful animals who can run & jump like deer. I am well mounted. I have sent you through your brother George a sword of which I ask your acceptance for old acquaintance sake. We are only ab^t three miles from Washington. It is late & I haven't much to write. Write soon & I will try to get time to write more at length. The following are my first two Gen^l Orders.

 

"Head Quarters 11^th R.I. Vols.

Camp near Fort Richardson Va. Jan 22^d 1863.

General Orders

N^o. 1

                        Comrades! The Colonel Commanding comes to you with the brightest anticipations for the future. Were it not so he would never have left the brave and veteran Third to link his fortunes with yours. Your former Colonel has assured him that no standard of excellence is too high for you to attain. Undaunted courage, strict obedience will make you soldiers. Nothing else can. Excel in these qualities and it will be honor enough for any one of you to have belonged to the 11^th Rhode Island. Let us never shrink from any duty that God and our country may demand of us.

 

                        Comrades! Your Colonel will cheerfully make any sacrifices for your welfare. May we never be disappointed in / each other. With a firm trust in God, let us press boldly forward in this great cause, and may the only Giver of Victory crown all our efforts with glorious success.

                                                                       

H Rogers Jun

Colonel.

 

Head Quarters 11^th R.I. Vols.

Camp near Fort Richardson Va. Jan 28^th 1863.

General Orders

N^o. 2.

                        In honor of the first Colonel of this Reg^t this camp will hereafter be known and designated as Camp Metcalf.

                                                                       

By order of

Col H Rogers Jr

Rob^t Fessenden

Adj^t.—

Read what will be of interest in this letter to Brayton, particularly ab^t Pitman; omit ab^t Viall & the 2^d. Remember me to all my friends. Tell Turner that I owe Charly Oakes $2.50 I think for a pr of spurs. Write me

 

Yours sincerely

H Rogers Junior

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